Netflix: Tyson Luke Fury vs. Arslanbek Ruslanovich Makhmudov & Conor Benn vs. Regis Prograis RBR.

Ye not really tho.. he has fought WK, Wilder & Usyk & probably Joshua next.. those are the 4 top HWs of the the past 10 or so years.. I'd hardy call that ducking.

 

Fighters did tend to get hit more in the past as more leather was thrown, but defensively, they did have decent skills, particularly at heavyweight.

The biggest difference I notice in boxers today, especially amongst heavyweights (particularly the behemoths) compared to previous generations is the lack of head movement and much slower feet. The basic high guard defense seems far more prevalent today than even just 20-30 years ago. If you go back further, gloves were smaller and less padded so the high guard wasn't a particularly effective defensive method compared to today with the huge padded gloves. Fighters had to rely more on ducking, weaving, parrying, and using their legs to get out of trouble.

The smaller heavyweights of the past seemed quicker, had better engines, and their combination punching was better. Todays big lads throw less leather and more single shots and simple one-twos. This makes sense when you consider they have to be more conservative with their punch output due to their poorer stamina.

In fighting also seemed to be more prevelent in the past. Too many referees today instantly break up the action as soon as fighters get up close and hold. I miss the days were fighters were regularly told by the referees to work their way out of a clinch.

A lot of fighters today just don't fight enough to truly get the best out of themselves. Fighting once every 6-12 months just isn't good enough. You can train all you want, but knowing how to apply what you have learnt in training into a real fight against a truly equal opponent is the best way of improving. Fighters of past generations fought regularly, so they had ample opportunities to try out what they learned, find what works and what doesn't, and improve their game.

 

I guess it's possible. I still think the lack of resume will take a lot of shine off those fights for future generations. Would be a lot more impressive if Wilder and Fury had decent resumes and their reputations didn't largely rest on fighting each other.

As far as ducking goes it's an issue because how you evaluate Usyks wins will come down to how you evaluate his opponents.

If you think Fury was the best in the division outside Usyk it's a very good win. But I don't see how we can ever know

 

I really like Usyk a lot, I respect him for his extreme Devotion to the sport and gentlemanly conduct. He is the kind of Champion you would want your kid to look up to. He is able to have fun and make people laugh while taunting opponents in interviews and stuff, and he does it without resorting to foul language and fake tough man threats. Reminds me of the fun Ali would have.

My opinion is that he is a very good fighter, and would be a top 10 contender in many heavyweight eras but not a champion.

 

Has nothing to do with coping, it's just what I see. usyk looks amazing against today's competition, but today's competition pales in comparison with the past competitors.

 

can only fight who’s in front of you

victim of his times, like many past greats

 

Victim of his times, you are 100% correct. Who knows how much greater Usyk could have been with a higher level of competition and more frequent fights? And he is not alone, there have been many fighters over the last 20 or so years who were good, but could have been excellent with a regular schedule and stiffer competition.

 

Since the current boxers haven’t been able to get the job done, are you turning to fighters from the past in hopes of beating Usyk?